External Hard Drives
Oyen Digital 4TB U34 Bolt USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD
- 1 x 40 Gb/s USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 Port
- Up to 2800 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
WD 8TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
G-DRIVE 24TB G-DRIVE Enterprise-Class USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 24TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm Ultrastar Enterprise-Class HDD
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 280 MB/s
LaCie 30TB d2 Professional USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 30TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port
- Up to 290 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- 7200 rpm Disk Speed
Toshiba 2TB Canvio Ready USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speeds
- NTFS Preformatted
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD V2 (Monterey)
- 1TB Total Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 1050 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 1000 MB/s Write Speed
Samsung 1TB T7 Shield Portable SSD (Beige)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD (Beige)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
OWC 2TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 Interface
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speeds
- Bus Powered
CORSAIR 2TB EX400U USB4 External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Sequential Reads up to 4000 MB/s
- Sequential Writes up to 3600 MB/s
LaCie 5TB Mobile Drive Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 130 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SanDisk Professional 8TB G-DRIVE PROJECT Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Read Speeds up to 250 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 250 MB/s
LaCie 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Mobile Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Interface
- USB Type-C Cable Included
- Sleek, Portable Design by Neil Poulton
WD 2TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Red)
- 2TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- Bus-Powered, No External Power Required
WD 4TB My Passport Ultra USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive (Silver)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 Type-C Interface (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
Lexar 2TB Professional Go USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD with Hub
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Male Interface
- 4-Port USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Hub
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Oyen Digital 12TB Novus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Rugged Desktop Hard Drive
- 12TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 270 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Compatible
SanDisk Professional 6TB G-DRIVE PROJECT Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive
- 6TB Storage Capacity
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Read Speeds up to 250 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 240 MB/s
SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD Thunderbolt 3 Portable SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 3000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 2500 MB/s
Toshiba 1TB Canvio Flex USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speeds
- exFAT Preformatted
Lexar 2TB SL500 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD (2-Pack)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD V2 (Sky Blue, 2-Pack)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 1050 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 1000 MB/s Write Speed
OWC 8TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 Interface
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speeds
- Bus Powered
Buffalo 1TB MiniStation USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 1TB Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Connection
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speeds
- Native Lock & Go Password Protection
Silicon Power 1TB Vault A60 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Black/Green)
Silicon Power 1TB Vault A80 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Blue)
SanDisk Professional 2TB PRO-G40 SSD Thunderbolt 3 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 3000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 2500 MB/s
WD 26TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 26TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Portable & USB Hard Drives
An external hard disk drive is a standalone storage device that provides additional space for your data. You can use it to backup important files from your computer's internal hard drive and to transfer files between computers. It has a larger storage capacity than other external storage devices, like USB drives and memory cards.
Portable vs. Desktop External Hard Drives
A portable external storage drive is smaller and lighter than a desktop model. It's a compact unit that houses a 2.5-inch hard drive in a protective enclosure. Desktop external hard disks have bigger housings, and usually use larger 3.5-inch hard drives. You can turn the internal hard disk in your old laptop (2.5-inch) or desktop PC (3.5-inch) into an external storage unit with the right hard drive enclosure.
Another difference between desktop and portable external hard drives is their power sources. Portable units are bus-powered. This means that they draw power with the same USB cable used for transferring data. Desktop units have separate AC adapters and draw more power. Hard drive arrays are another class of external storage devices. These have two or more drive bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hard disks. They serve as network-attached servers and support RAID levels that help them prioritize data redundancy, transfer speed, and storage capacity.
What's the Difference Between SSD and HDD?
A USB external hard drive can store files on a solid-state drive or a hard disk drive. While HDDs record data on spinning platters, SSDs use flash memory chips. With no moving parts, SSDs are faster and more durable. They’re also quieter and use less power. However, HDDs are more affordable and available in higher capacities.
Some brands offer SSDs in multiple form factors. For example, you can find 2.5-inch (direct replacement for laptop HDDs), M.2, and PCIe solid state drives in the HP hard drive line. Note that you need a 2.5-inch SSD and a 2.5-inch drive enclosure to build a SATA external hard drive. SATA, or Serial ATA, is a high-speed bus interface for connecting storage devices like HDDs and SSDs to computer motherboards. An external SATA (eSATA) drive enclosure connects a SATA HDD or SSD to a computer via USB.
Consider Speed When Selecting External Storage Drives
The overall data transfer speed of an external storage device depends on the speed of the drive used and the speed of the connection between the drive and your computer. Connection interface options for external drives include USB 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1, as well as eSATA and Thunderbolt. USB 3.0 external hard drives are 10 times faster than models with USB 2.0.
Most brands offer hard disks in two drive speeds: 5400 and 7200 rpm. Each type has its merits. For example, if you’re looking for a portable Toshiba hard drive, pick one with a 5400 rpm HDD. It has a lower power draw and is quick enough for everyday use. Pick a model with a 7200 rpm HDD if you regularly transfer large files and need a desktop external drive.
Keep important files safe by regularly backing them up onto an external hard disk. Find the right one, including fast SSD options, in the extensive selection of portable storage devices at B&H Photo and Video.